Seeking optimal non-pharmacological interventions for sarcopenia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background: With the acceleration of aging, sarcopenia has become a reality of concern today. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various non-pharmacologic interventions and find the optimal interventions for sarcopenia.

Methods: PubMed, Medline OVID, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane were searched from 1 January 2000 to 25 October 2023, with language restrictions to English. We analyzed the data through the Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Results: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria defined by the PICOS principles, we identified 47 eligible clinical trials engaging 4889 individuals (including treatment group = 2835, control group = 2054). The results showed that resistance exercise (low-moderate load) significantly increased muscle mass (skeletal muscle mass and lean body mass) and that exercise plus nutrition improved physical activity indices (handgrip strength, gait speed, TUG test, chair standing).

Conclusion: Resistance exercise (low-moderate load), exercise plus nutrition, and nutritional supplementation (fatty acids, etc.) may be protective against sarcopenia. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=474799 , ID: CRD4202347479.